October 06, 2009

Blackhawks return to the ice

After two days off following their trip to Europe to open the 2009-10 season, the Blackhawks were back on the ice for practice Tuesday.

Dave Bolland, Troy Brouwer and Ben Eager all missed practice. Coach Joel Quenneville said Bolland was off for "maintenance" but is "going to be fine." He along with Brouwer (lower body) will likely be in the lineup when the Hawks take on the Red Wings in Detroit on Thursday night. Eager (upper body) is going to be evaluated in the next day or two and is questionable.

Quenneville called Tuesday's practice "one of the best we've had all year" and it seems like the players are over any jetlag from their excursion to Switzerland and Finland.

"I don't believe any of us even adjusted to the time over there so coming back here was a lot easier," captain Jonathan Toews said. "Talking to the guys, no one has really had any trouble sleeping the last couple of nights. Definitely not myself.

Added winger Dustin Byfuglien: "I feel just fine. I don't think too many guys had problems adjusting. The first couple of nights over there was a lot harder. We slept on the way home and got up, went home and slept a ltitle bit and got up and got back on a normal schedule. I've had no problems and I don't think anyone else has either."

Here are the lines in practice, with defensemen Aaron Johnson and Jordan Hendry filling in for the missing forwards:

Comments

Hawks need to add a tough guy. Should be looking at DJ King on St. Louis. The kid can play and never loses his fights. Fans will absolutely love this kid on a line with Eager and and Fraser until Burish is ready. He will energize the building even more and protect his teammates. He's exactly what we need when the going get's tough.

About this blog

I do remember the roar. And I remember my first Blackhawks game. I grew up in the western suburbs and my father took me to Chicago Stadium on Feb. 20, 1980 when Tony Esposito and the Hawks downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2.

My most vivid memories of the night are Esposito taking a slap shot to the head and collapsing, sending the crowd of 9,322 into a stunned silence. After a few minutes the Hall of Fame goaltender stood up, received a standing ovation and finished the game.

It was also the night the United States Olympic hockey team defeated West Germany 4-2 en route to a meeting with the Soviet Union and an eventual gold medal. When the score was announced the crowd broke into a chant of "USA! USA!" How could I not get hooked on hockey?

I started working at the Tribune while still in high school at Hinsdale South and I've been a copy editor, page designer, high school sports editor and now a beat reporter for an Original Six team. What a strange trip, indeed.

There's no truth to the rumor I bought a condo in the West Loop so I can take the No. 20 bus to work, but it does help make the commute to the United Center rather short.